Elephant fights off hyenas to save baby. “This is the incredible moment an elephant came to the rescue of one of its babies being attacked by a pack of hyenas. The elephant is seen charging at the hyenas to ward them off its offspring. The photos were captured by American photographer Jayesh Mehta, 47, in the Savuti region of the Chobe National Park in Botswana”.

The hyenas dart and nip at the baby calf during the chase – mauling the baby quite badly – especially its hindquarters. (Photo by Jayesh Mehta/Caters News)

The elephant chasing the hyenas away from its calf. (Photo by Jayesh Mehta/Caters News)

A hyena watching the elephant calf in the Savuti region of the Chobe National Park in Botswana. (Photo by Jayesh Mehta/Caters News)

Mehta said: “We heard cries of elephants in distress. On leaving the track and going towards the sounds in the bush we found a group of 12-14 hyenas chasing a herd of around eight elephants”. (Photo by Jayesh Mehta/Caters News)

The elephant is seen charging at the hyenas to ward them off its offspring. (Photo by Jayesh Mehta/Caters News)

The elephant is seen charging at the hyenas to ward them off its offspring. (Photo by Jayesh Mehta/Caters News)

“It was amazing to see some of the hyenas coming from all sides to irritate the larger elephants – and other hyenas to try and grab the baby whenever the attention of the larger elephants was diverted”, said the photographer. (Photo by Jayesh Mehta/Caters News)

The elephant herd included two adult females, a few teenagers, and a baby that was a few days old. The hyenas were trying to get at the baby – which had already been injured. (Photo by Jayesh Mehta/Caters News)